CurrentCreekGlades 010712

Finally! Some new snow made for a good ski day.

Sue displays the latest snow hair-do.

The park and ride was sunny and warm, but we were ready for the new snow that was forecast for the weekend. We met at a leisurely 8:30 at Woolly Mammoth HH. After the struggles with conditions last week, it was tough getting the skiers out. Cheryl, Sue, Mark, and Dave showed up with their snowshoes, and Norm and Tom had their skis. As we got set up, another car pulled out celebrating Joel's 65th. Joel enthusiastically signaled his agreement. Unfortunately, pictures of his action are not allowed on this family-friendly blog.


It was still sunny at Downieville, where we ran into a CMC trip to Butler with Ted, Ginger, Sarah, John Stidman, and others. On the road, the weather soon turned to clouds and snow, much to everyones delight. The trailhead was still warm as we geared up, clambered over the parking lot snow bank, and headed up the trail past the cabin to the aqueduct, where we circled around to the glades. 


Our experience from Monday taught the skiers to keep to the groomed trails, because off-trail was loaded with bottomless, ski-stopping sugar. We climbed high above the normal starting point until the wind crust was winning out over the newly deposited powder. The upper and lower slopes gave us some fun turns, but the middle slopes were a bit choppy beneath a couple inches of powder. Still, the run was good enough for a couple of yo-yos.  Even the snowshoers chose to climb again, especially when the choice was to succumb to the chilly temperatures. 

Cheryl and Mark take a picture break on the slopes.

Not shown was director extraordinaire Dave with his HD cam. We look forward to seeing the results. 


Edit: Dave posted his Current Creek Movie

After 2 runs, the snowshoers headed down the cabin track, the powder continued to fall, and the skiers headed up for a third run. After reaching the aqueduct, the skiers continued down the drainage. The tracks from Monday provided us with safe passage to the trailhead, avoiding the powder traps in the untracked territory.

The groups reconnected in the parking lot after a great trip.


As we turned off at Idaho Springs, I-70 was at a standstill. It remained that way until late into the evening. We snuck out of town on the frontage road, took a shortcut to the highway, turned off at US 6 where the frontage road was closed, and we crept along to the intersection at route 119. One car stayed on 6, and the other took the long route through Black Hawk and Golden Gate Canyon. Both groups made it to park and ride 3 hours later, where the frontage road was closed, forcing those parked at Woolly Mammoth to hike to the cars. After they emerged from the closure and got their gear, the cops opened the road and left the scene.

3 runs / 3.3 mi / 1400'.

Current Creek Glades 010712